The spiritual journey of the heart unveiled piece by [peace].

Nivea Ad Creates Racial Stir

Nivea has been receiving a lot of backlash today for a very controversial ad (see pic above). The advertisement has a well-groomed black man holding the head of his former self sporting an uncombed afro and bushy beard as if it’s a javelin that he is about to toss into the distance. Across the picture are the words Re-civilize Yourself along with Nivea’s catch phrase “look like you give a damn.”

Scrrreeeeech! Stop the record! Hold the press! I feel like Nivea was just looking to stir up controversy with this one. For me, it’s not even so much that the dude is holding an afro-wearing, bearded black man. It is the poor choice of wording added to the picture, Re-civilize Yourself? Really? So a black man sporting his natural manes is now considered uncivilized? C’mon Nivea why don’t you tell us how you realllllly feel about black men? Could you be anymore blatant?

Nivea’s Facebook page has been blasted with pages and pages of arguments for or against the advertisement. Pics of people rocking their fros and proclaiming their CIVilization flooded the page. Nivea took to Facebook to say:

Thank you for caring enough to give us your feedback about the recent “Re-civilized” NIVEA FOR MEN ad. This ad was inappropriate and offensive. It was never our intention to offend anyone, and for this we are deeply sorry. This ad will never be used again. Diversity and equal opportunity are crucial values of our company.

As I type, Rihanna’s California King Bed plays on my television along with one of her Nivea ads. Many people are arguing she should withdraw from her endorsement deal with the company. I feel like it depends on how strongly Rihanna feels about the ad. Everyone perceives things differently so who are we to tell Ri-Ri to be offended by the company putting money in her pocket?

What do you all think? Has Nivea lost your skincare dollars or are people taking it too far?[Source]-Renée Nicole@favoredchick